Music promoter evolves with LovEvolution parade

A DJ and promoter by night, a child psychologist by day, Syd Gris is one of the originators of LovEvolution, an electronic music parade and festival that moves up Market Street for an all-day party at the Civic Center on Saturday.

How did this festival begin?

LovEvolution began as Love Parade in 2004. It was originally an event in Berlin that wasn’t exactly a protest, yet it was trying to send a message about peace, love and unity.

You changed the name this year. Why?

To make a long story short, they stopped licensing the Love Parade event. The Berlin board decided to concentrate on their own event. For our team, it wasn’t a really hard decision to keep putting on the event. We just changed the name from Love Fest to LovEvolution and are throwing the same party.

This festival will be the first in The City that’s allowed to charge admission. How do you think people will react to a $10 fee?

Because of the economic climate, The City has pretty much increased fees across the board. … Secondly, because the event was so successful last year, we’re looking to increase our infrastructure. We’ve been accepting donations in the past. Unfortunately, only two out of 10 would actually donate, so it was either get that approved or we couldn’t hold the event.

You’re a child psychologist in Bayview-Hunters Point. How do you balance that with promoting nightlife in The City?

Mainly, I can do it because it’s a part-time position. If it was full-time I’d probably be insane, or single.